Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 23
Niṣādasya Bhillasya Itihāsaḥ — Śivarātri-vrata-prabhāvaḥ
The Hunter’s Account and the Efficacy of the Śivarātri Observance
कुटुम्बं पोषितं नित्यं कृत्वा पापान्यनेकशः । एवं पापानि हा कृत्वा का गतिर्मे भविष्यति
kuṭumbaṃ poṣitaṃ nityaṃ kṛtvā pāpānyanekaśaḥ | evaṃ pāpāni hā kṛtvā kā gatirme bhaviṣyati
“Ta hằng nuôi dưỡng gia quyến, nhưng trong quá trình ấy đã phạm vô số tội lỗi. Ôi than—đã gây nên những nghiệp ác như vậy, số phận nào sẽ đến với ta?”
Suta Goswami (narrating the devotee’s lament within the Kotirudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It voices the jīva’s awakening: realizing that worldly maintenance, when driven by attachment and unethical means, creates pāpa and binds one’s gati; the implied remedy in Shaiva thought is śaraṇāgati—turning to Lord Shiva for purification and liberation.
The verse sets up the need for atonement and refuge; in the Kotirudrasaṃhitā, such inner remorse commonly leads the seeker toward Jyotirlinga/Linga worship—approaching Saguna Shiva as the compassionate Pati who burns karmic bonds and redirects one toward moksha.
A practical takeaway is to adopt Shiva-centered prāyaścitta: daily Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), Linga abhiṣeka with sincere repentance, and living with dharma to stop further pāpa—especially strengthened by Mahāśivarātri vrata.